London 2012: Call for Olympic torch to visit Tendring

The flame will travel 8,000 miles around the UK next year

A campaign has been launched to get the Olympic torch relay to stop in the only area of Essex not on the route.

Tendring is set to be the only district in the county that will not host the flame when it visits the county on 6 and 7 July 2012.

Conservative district councillor Stephen Mayzes said the district felt "truly shunned' by the omission.

Games organisers Locog said the torch relay route had been devised after "extensive consultation".

Earlier this month it was announced 17 towns and villages in Essex would host stops for the Olympic torch as part of the 70-day tour.

'Flaming cheek'

Although the procession will briefly head through Tendring, on its way from Ipswich to Colchester, it will not make a ceremonial stop.

Mr Mayzes, portfolio holder for tourism and community life, said: "We've got a lot to offer here and it does feel we've been well and truly shunned.

"To be honest it's a flaming cheek to the people of Tendring that it is the only place in Essex that is not going to have the flame passing through."

Mr Mayzes said he was going to write to the chairman of Locog, Lord Coe, to ask for a change in the route to "give the people of this district some hope and aspirations".

A spokesperson for the games' organisers said: "The route has been devised after extensive consultation with representatives in each nation and region.

"Every local authority has been given the opportunity to put themselves forward.

"Although we can't go everywhere, we are taking the flame to within 10 miles of 95% of the population and people can take part in countywide celebrations."